An action, which, had the English been successful, would have saved the lives and fortunes of many of the leading Jacobites, took place in 1745. On the 9th July of that year the _Lion_, a 60-gun ship of 400 men, commanded by Captain Piercy Brett, being on a cruise, fell in with the _Elizabeth_, a French ship of war, of 64 guns and 600 men, and a small frigate, the latter having on board Prince Charles, son of the old Pretender, and several officers of distinction who were accompanying him in order to support his cause in Scotland. At five o'clock in the evening the _Lion_ got within pistol-shot of the _Elizabeth_, when a most obstinate battle began, and continued with great fury till ten, at which time the _Lion_ had lost her mizen-mast, all her other masts and yards being so much wounded, and rigging and sails cut to pieces, that she became unmanageable. The _Elizabeth_ not being so much crippled in her rigging, her commander availed himself of the opportunity, to set what sail he could, and got off. The _Lion_ had 45 men killed and 107 wounded. Among the latter were Captain Brett, with all his lieutenants and the master. The _Elizabeth_ had her captain and 64 men killed, and 144 wounded. She was so much damaged that it was with difficulty she reached Brest. The frigate pursuing her course landed Prince Charles at Lochaber on the 27th day of July. In order to prevent succours being sent to the rebels from France, Admiral Vernon proceeded with a strong squadron to the Downs, and Rear-Admiral Byng was sent with some ships to the coast of Scotland. English ship-owners and merchants had sent many large privateers of considerable force to sea, and they were especially fortunate this year. The _Prince Frederick_, of 28 guns and 250 men, commanded by Captain James Talbot, fell in off the western islands with two large French ships with valuable cargoes, which had just returned from the South Seas. After an obstinate engagement they captured the _Marquis D'Autin_, of 400 tons, 24 guns, and 68 men; and the _Lewis Erasmus_, of 500 tons, 28 guns, and 66 men. The privateers and their prizes having been convoyed to Bristol by three men-of-war, the treasure and plate taken out of them were put into forty-five waggons and carried to London, when, upon a division of the prize-money, each sailor's share amounted to 850 pounds. The captains and crews of the privateers behaved with great generosity to their prisoners, allowing them to keep their valuable effects, and when the common men were landed, they distributed to each twenty guineas. The proprietors, whose share amounted to 700,000 pounds, made a voluntary tender of it to the Government to assist in putting down the Jacobite rebellion.